Unfettered Letters

Student drivers

As you observe the “Student Driver” sign on the back of the driver education car, please show some empathy and understanding. These novice drivers haven’t fully developed their skills and may inadvertently make some questionable decisions. Decisions such as signaling left and turning right, or making a not-so-smooth lane change, or just getting the brake and accelerator mixed up. The errors in judgment will be corrected with time and practice.

Unfortunately, some of the other drivers on the roadway refuse to accept any mistake from a beginning student driver. They express their dissatisfaction by angrily honking, yelling or issuing a “one-finger-salute.” This form of road rage is certainly uncalled for and unfortunately reveals a great deal about the personal frustration that exists within those types of drivers.

We have all experienced the trials and tribulations of learning how to drive. Thus, your understanding and empathy, for each student driver while they are trying to develop their driving skills, would be greatly appreciated.

Bill Kennedy
Owner, Drive-Right School of Johnson County
Topeka

Road rage

I witnessed road rage for the first time recently. I was heading north on Interstate 635. I saw a Mercedes trying to change lanes. I realized soon after that there was a Honda blocking the Mercedes from changing lanes.

I am right in back of this little debacle when suddenly the person in the Benz throws a full cup of coffee at the Honda and makes contact, sending the splatter onto my windshield.

While I was wiping the coffee off my windshield, I got to thinking. This incident showed how dangerous road rage can be and that people need to think on the road, therefore making it a safe environment for all who drive. Car accidents would be cut down significantly. No matter if you are late for work, slow down and make good decisions.

Alex VanSant
Kansas City, Kan.

What would Jesus do?

During this holiest of weeks, I feel compelled to write and share my most holy experience.

On last Friday evening, around 5:15, my children and I were driving north on K-7 between I-70 and State Avenue. My 14-year-old permit driver was behind the wheel. She was going exactly the speed limit.

As I was telling her what a great job she was doing, I noticed a lady in the rear-view mirror. This lady was so close to us that I could read her lips. The things that were coming out of her mouth are not fit to be repeated in this letter.

As soon as she was able, she swerved around us and then pulled in front of us. If she gave us a foot, I would be surprised. My daughter was shocked and slammed on the brakes. She asked me what she did wrong.

As I explained, she did nothing wrong — that this was just an impatient driver — I noticed something interesting. All over the woman’s little maroon car were bumper stickers proclaiming what a great Christian she was.

This day my children learned that not all Christians practice what they preach.

Don’t get me wrong. I am not anti-Christian, just anti-hypocrite.

Samantha Swan
Basehor

Abuse is just the start

The Star's report (1/26, Metro) on the two teens charged with assault on a family underscores the reason it is imperative that people take animal abuse cases seriously. As this case demonstrates, violence to animals rarely stops there.

The fact that one of the men charged in the road rage assault has a previous conviction of animal abuse should come as no surprise. Citizens should be outraged at the slap on the wrist he received for tying up a dog and shooting it in the snout. Two years probation and community service is in no way commensurate with such a violent crime.

Without proper intervention, people who abuse animals are more likely than the average citizen to continue their abusive behavior - possibly against other people. Judges in Cass County would do well to remember this case the next time they sentence an animal abuser. Stern penalties for animal abusers - penalties that include jail time, psychological counseling and a ban on contact with animals - are essential for the welfare of both people and animals.

Ariana Huemer
Humane Society of the United States
Washington, D.C.

Curb road rage

The article “I-70 traffic dispute ends in gunfire” (12/15, Metro) highlighted the tragic aspects of aggressive driving and road rage. As the sponsor of the Response Insurance National Driving Habits Survey, a scientifically valid survey of drivers from around the United States that covered this topic, we would like to weigh in on the issue.

Our survey revealed that 37 percent of American drivers experienced road rage, and that an equal number had committed an act within the prior six months. Men were more likely to engage in road rage than women (44 percent vs. 30 percent), and the highest incidence is among youthful drivers. In the 18-to-34-year-old group, 50 percent had committed road rage.

Even minor acts of verbal aggression can escalate into something more serious. Drivers need to take a deep breath and calm down before things get out of control. These survey results should be a wake-up call to drivers everywhere.

Mory Katz
Chairman and chief executive
Response Insurance Group
Meriden, Conn.